Can a foreigner live in Japan?
A Mexican citizen actually gets to stay in Japan for 6 months on what's known as visa waiver. It's actually longer than the 3 months that an American citizen is allowed. If you wish to live in a foreign country, not just Japan, you need a document called a resident visa. Some of the pertinent visa types for Japan are student visa, work visa, and spouse visa. If a student visa, you have to leave the country when you finish school, so a work visa is much better for living in Japan as a foreigner. After 10 years continuous residency in Japan, you can optionally apply for permanent residency, and then you can live in Japan indefinitely without a work visa. (The usual caveat for getting a Japanese work visa is that you need a college degree.) The treatment of foreigners in Japan varies, but one of the best ways to ensure that you're treated fairly is to speak Japanese fluently. It's one of the most important ways to get accepted there.
How many foreigners are living in Japan?
How many foreigners are living in Japan?Foreign residents in Japan as of 2015: 2,232,189 persons Foreign residents in Japan based on country of origin: China 665,847South Korea 457,772Philippines 229,595 Brazil 173,437Vietnam 146,956 Nepal 54,775 United States of America 52,271 Taiwan 48,723 Peru 47,721Thailand 45,379Indonesia 35,910Korea 33,939 India 26,244England 15,826Myanmar 13,737 Sri Lanka 13,152Pakistan 12,708Bangladesh 10,835 France 10,672Australia 9,843 Canada 9,538Malaysia 8,738 Russia 8,092Mongolia 6,590Germany 6,336Cambodia 6,111 Bolivia 5,412 Turkey 4,157 Iran 3,996 Italy 3,536 New Zealand 3,152Afghanistan 2,639 Nigeria 2,638Argentina 2,630 Laos 2,592Singapore 2,501 Spain 2,495Romania 2,408Columbia 2,268 Mexico 2,141 Ghana 2,005Paraguay 1,880 Sweden 1,805 Egypt 1,747 Ukraine 1,699 Poland 1,653Uzbekistan 1,503Netherlands 1,129 Ireland 1,026Switzerland 1,023 Saudi Arabia 1,007Total Foreign residents in Japan: 2,232,189Source: 日本の外国人 - Wikipedia
How can I start living in Japan as a foreigner?
This question is asked about once a week. First decide what job you want to do, go the Japanese embassy wesbite and find out what visa you qualify for. You will need a sponsor for your visa, that means finding a job before you come to japan. Once you find a job and sponsor (who arranges your visa at the japan end) you arrange passport and tickets (but only once your visa has been processed and approved). Many can tell you about the finer points but alot will depend on your nationality, job skills and what you want to do in Japan.
What is it like for foreigners in Japan?
It is of course enjoyable and profitable to learn about Japanese culture and language. Understand that it will take a substantial investment of your time and energy for you to master the Japanese language. Few foreigners speak it fluently. The Japanese people that you meet in New Zealand are likely to speak English better than you will speak Japanese even after a few years of intensive study on your part. It is difficult to make friends here. It is a different culture. A culture where even Japanese people do not speak more than a sentence or two to fellow Japanese they are not familiar with and comfortable with. Striking up a conversation with a stranger and making fast friends is very rare. Also know that foreigners do not enjoy the exalted status some people think they are afforded. In fact, foreigners in Japan are viewed sort of as failed Japanese. We lack language skills, we do not behave, nor can we behave in the Japanese way, we do not have long-term connections through school and work that are so very important to them. We do not have any family history here nor are we seen to have any future here. We are a curiosity to most, a foreign invader to a few. After the curiosity wears off we are tolerated, individual by individual. But in the end, if we really do hope to be accepted as an equal we will fall short and find ourselves at the very bottom of the social strata. Can you convincingly apologize to someone who has wronged you? Can you smile when you feel justified anger? Can you work hard for years and see others get the credit? Do you agree that there is a single correct way to do things? Can you accept that doing things differently is synonymous with doing them incorrectly? Can you accept that your opinions and preferences are likely to be deemed unimportant unless you are wealthy and socially connected (and Japanese)? Can you live each day knowing that people around you believe you to be inferior and quite probably criminal regardless of what you do to convince them otherwise? You may find that it easier and more pleasurable to learn Japanese as a hobby and enjoy the culture on occasional trips. Living here may be more trouble than it is actually worth.
How hard is it for foreigners to live in Japan?
its not very hard for foreigners to live in japan as theres good transportation, shopping is convenient and everything is pretty straightforward, however, one thing that you would struggle in is communication because not many people speak fluent english, it would be hard to simply communicate to get around. But lots of foreigners do it, and in no time they gradually improve their japanese! there are signs with japanese and english everywhere so i think it would be finee!
How can I find other foreigners in Japan?
Depends where. In Tokyo you couldn't avoid them if you tried. Many large and medium sized cities have at least a few ex-pat hangouts. You could also go to a high school - there are probably some ALTs there at least some of the time. Also you could try http://www.japan-guide.com/local/?aCAT=2 It's free and very active.
If you are a foreigner living in Japan, what has been the hardest thing for you to adjust to?
Cyn, you're burning your YA points tonight!! For me it's when I clearly say, "Nama biru futatsu kudasai." the bar staff look at me like I've spoken Greek and then look to my Japanese wife who says: "Nama biru futstsu kudasai."
How hard is it to live in Japan as a foreigner?
Honestly, it’s not that hard.Japan is a really open country, with amazing people.There are (mostly) no inconveniences, shortages of anything, and I might even go and say this is the best country in the World.But this is only for a Japanese speaker.I can read, write, and speak Japanese, which makes people that I talk to more open, and actually care for me.Japanese people have really good morals.Lost something? Get it back the next day.Need help? You get more than what you asked for.For those that do not speak Japanese, you might have a little trouble, but Japan is a fast developing country, and most good shops here have English speakers too.The first few years in Japan may be hard getting used to, but it’s honestly easier than any other country you go to.I mean, just look at this place.